Nepalese 'donate' petrol to India in satirical protest

KATHMANDU: Dozens of Nepalese today gathered in front of the Indian Embassy here for a satirical protest to "donate" petrol after the mission asked the Nepal government to provide fuel for its trucks amid an acute oil shortage due to a border blockade following violent protests over the country's new Constitution.

As news broke about the Indian Embassy asking Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) for fuel for its vehicles, people began a campaign on Twitter appealing for oil to "donate" it to the embassy this morning. A hashtag for the campaign was also posted on the social networking site.

Youths with bottles of petrol gathered near the embassy gate holding placards with slogans like - "We will give oil, but not national pride" and "Back off India". They were also carrying Nepalese flags during the demonstration.

As security personnel did not allow the protesters to move towards the embassy gate they staged sit-ins on the roadside singing nationalist songs.

The campaign comes as the blockade on the Nepal-India border entered its 13th day. India has denied imposing the blockade, saying truck drivers are concerned for their safety after violent protests in Nepal.

There were long queues seen at petrol pumps since early morning as Kathmandu was hit by a serious fuel shortage.

At least 40 people have died in over a month of clashes between police and protesters from the Madhesi and Tharu communities and ethnic minorities.

Last month, Indian trucks carrying essential goods had been stranded on the Indian side for more than five days due to the ongoing blockade imposed by Nepal's ethnic Madhesi groups opposing the promulgation of the new Constitution.

Madhesis are Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai region bordering India.

New demarcation of boundary for the southern plains, and more rights and representation for the Madhesis are the major demands of the agitating groups who are also opposed to splitting Nepal into seven provinces as per the new Constitution.